Lemon Bar Cupcakes

The best cupcakes ever. I wish I could just stop at that. These are so, so good! Both hubbs and I love lemon and shortbread cookies, so these are perfect for us. The other day we were watching a Food Network Challenge and came across this recipe. He wanted me to whip it up, so I did, and I am so glad that I did! (Except for the fact that 5 pounds have now been added to my back side). Ha!

Lemon Bar Cupcakes

Printable Version

Lemon Bar Cupcakes

Recipe from Chelsea at www.mmmcafe.blogspot.com

For crust and topping:

33 Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies

6 Tbs. granulated sugar

6 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

For the batter:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

1 small box (3.4 ounce) instant lemon pudding

1 (18.25 ounce) box lemon cake mix

2/3 cup lemon curd

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with 26 cupcake liners; set aside.

Place shortbread cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl; stir until well combined; set aside.

In the mixing bowl beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time and mix just until combined. Add vegetable oil, water, and the box of lemon pudding. Mix until combined. Add cake mix and beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes. Batter will be thick.

Place a tablespoon of shortbread cookie crumb mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Use your fingers or the bottom of a small glass to firmly pack crumbs into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Reserve remaining shortbread cookie crumb mixture for topping.

Drop a scant 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin cup.

Load the lemon curd into a small sandwich size resealable bag, removing the air from the bag before sealing. Squeeze the curd to 1 corner of the bag and use scissors to snip a 1/4- inch piece from corner of bag; set aside.

With a damp finger or the end of a wooden spoon dipped in water, make a shallow indentation into the center of each cupcake. Pipe 1 teaspoon lemon curd into each indentation. Sprinkle tops of cupcakes evenly with remaining shortbread cookie crumbs.

Bake for 21 to 23 minutes, until edges of cupcakes are lightly golden brown.

Serve cupcakes warm from the oven or at room temperature. Since the lemon curd will melt, additional curd may be used to top cupcakes after cooling.

Makes 26 cupcakes

Recipe from www.foodnetwork.com